Migration Support & Resource Centre for Plumbers Opened in Kendrapara

Kendrapara: In a bid to address the problems faced by the migrant plumbers from Kendrapara district, a dedicated Migration Support & Resource Centre has been opened for them here today.

Inaugurated by Odisha Labour and ESI Minister Sushant Singh, the Centre will resolve different migration related issues faced by the plumbers in India and abroad.

Kendrapara Collector Samarth Verma, Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board Chairperson Subash Singh, Kendrapara MLA Sashi Bhushan Behera and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

A database of plumbers working outside the State and country will be prepared to gather detailed information about the plumbers and their employers. The database will enable the Centre to provide prompt assistance and support to the plumbers in times of distress and need, said an official.

After registration, the plumbers will be eligible for all benefits of construction workers like death benefit, maternity benefits, marriage incentive, etc.

Notably, Kendrapara produces the maximum number of plumbers in India. They are more than one lakh in number and are spread throughout the world. But there is no database of them with the district administration. Hence, the problems of plumbers working outside the State like workplace harassment, visa issues, exploitation by middlemen, inhuman working conditions and illegal migration go unreported.

The opening of Migration Support & Resource Centre will enable the administration to address these problems, officials said.